Vacuum cleaner nozzle



June 16, 1942. w LEATHERS 2,286,818

VACUUM CLEANER NOZ ZLE Filed July 1'1, 1958' Sheets-sheet 1 A INVENT R.

June 16, 1942. w. LEATHRS VACUUM CLEANER NOZZLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Ju ly 1l. 1958 HUHVIHHHFITITI 2 f-Z/r INVENT R.

Patented June 16, 1942 VACUUM CLEANER NOZZLE Ward Leathers,

Haworth, N. J.,

assigner to Quadrex Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application July 11, 1938, Serial No. 218,645 i 3 Claims.

My invention is particularly applicable to the canister-type vacuum-cleaner, i. e. the type that cleans exclusively through a cleaning hose, and to the push-broom type, i. e. the type wherein the inotor-driven air-impelling unit and operators handle are incorporated in a rigid structure. Although equally applicable to both types, descriptions of same in this specicatlon for convenience relateto its use at the end of a hose and extension tube, or wand The attachment to the wand, as shown, may easily be joined to the inlet end of the push-broom" type vacuumcleaner as set forth in my numerous U. S. patents on same. For the uses mentioned, it is highly desirable that the nozzle have a hinged or articulated relationship between the nozzle and the wand. Such'hinge is common practice, but in my invention the hinge-is so constructed that the intake air passes freely through it and it is at the same time flexible or resilient. This resiliency is highly desirable when the user strikes the nozzle against furniture or furniture supports, and it is especially desirable that when the end of the nozzle so contacts that it yield a considerable degree which, in conjunction with a rubber-covered nose on the nozzle or a completely rubber-covered nozzle, as herein described, enables the user to work freely and rapidly, with the assurance that no damage can be done to either furniture or machine. In order that a nozzle of this sort may freely and automatically maintain its alignment with-the plane of the floor, although the wand is angularly movable for cleaning under large, low furniture, a sufficient distance between the forward and rearward contacting edges must be ample for that purpose. I have therefore not only devised means for using these contacting edges in an advantageous and diverse manner, but have also used the space between them for other purposes hereinafter described, the more important of which is that of holding an agitating brush on the rearward Contact edge at a point substantially level with oor, or carpet nap, and permitting the same to be depressed for deeper cleaning purposes by the operator. I have provided a novel form of rake-action, Stroker-bar on the forward edge for disengaging clinging, surface litter, and have provided means whereby the agitator or brush on the rearward edge may be depressed, or permitted to raise to its predetermined position, without the admission of excess air at the ends of the nozzle, or elsewhere, and have found means whereby the resilient joint will permit great resiliency in normal use when In order to make my invention clear to all those familiar with these arts, I have prepared the following specification, and appended drawings,` of which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal, median, cross-section of nozzle and wand.

Figure 2 is a cross-section of the nozzle taken on the dotted line A-A of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the nozzle showing vinternal structure in dotted lines.

Figures 4 and 5 are cross-sections', at 90 to each other, of the flexible joint.

Figure 6 is an end view of the nozzle.

Figure 7 is a sectional View of the rubber cover.

Figure 8 is a partially sectioned front View of nozzle showing modified means of obtaining retractability.

vFigure 9 is a partial, plan view of the nozzle with broken portions showing means illustrated in Figure 8.

Figures 10, l1, and 12 show tooth structure of forward Stoker-bar.

A die-casting I, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, ls so formed that it may be taken from' a two-part mould,

excepting for the forward groove which furnishes an anchor for the moulded rubber cover 2. The die-casting I has on its forward edge or strokerbar a series of die-,cast teeth 3, more fully shown in Figs. 10, 11, and 12. At the rearward edge of the casting is a cast groove 5 extending the l length of the nozzle, except for the center portion which is slightly modified to hold a felt airpack. This groove holds a brush 6 extending the length of the nozzle. The brush is of that type wherein the bristles are formed around a wire and the entire brush bound together by means of a -metal-ferrule-back. The brush is made independent ofthe nozzle, is set into the groove and held by screws 'l through both walls of the groove, and is replaceable by the loosening of said screws. No screw holders for the brush are required at the interrupted center section'. This casting has alarge top opening 9 in the said center section at the ends of which are provided upwardly projecting lugs I0 which are the end supports for the hinged device whereby the wand Il is joined to the nozzle. The inner face of the casting is also provided with carpet-stops I2 of suitable height for checking at a predetermined point the upward lifting of the carpet due to suction of the machine, in order that the nozzle may glide more freely over the carpet. vThe irregularities shown are for the purpose of avoiding chattering on the carpet when in movement. The rearward edge of the casting is sufficiently high from the floor to permit the depressing of the brush 6 into carpets a considerable distance without the rearward edge contacting floor or carpet. The end of the die casting is shown inl dotted lines in Fig. 6. The end of therubber cover projects downward on the end, as at I5, to prevent air from'fiowing in at the end of the nozzle whenkthe brush is in the high position shown. Means`of raising the rubber at the rearward corners o f the nozzle will be later described. A die-cast nozzle outlet I8 is joined to a steel tubular part I9 by means of rivets 20, and suitable slots 2l and 22 are cut therein longitudinally (See Figs. 4 and 5). By means of a swivel 25 the die-cast nozzle piece I8 is joined to a connector piece 26,'which is in turn joined to the wand II. The steel tube I8 is held between the die-cast lugs I by means of resilient trunnions. These trunnions are composed and assembled as follows: A solid, elliptical cam 28,` preferably of aluminum, with Ia bronze tube pressed tightly into the center for bearing purposes, is tted snugly into a rubber block 29, the rubber block being snugly fitted into the non-perforated end of the tube I9. A rivet 30 providedwith a snugly fitting spacer-sleeve is freely passed through the bronze sleeve and riveted into the lug I 0. Since the cam. 28 turns with the tube I9 it is essential that the cam be located at the proper angular relationship with the nozzle. This relationship is such that when the wand is in normal floor cleaning position, approximately 42 with the floor; the greater axis of the cam is vertical. This permits a high degree of resiliency in a horizontal plane in the trunnion joint when in normal use, and avoids undesirable resiliency when the operator presses downward on the handle for the purpose of depressing the brush 6 into the carpet. yA suitable stop not shown prevents the raising of the wand to a greater than normal angle with the nozzle.

In order that the brush be maintained at its proper normal position, namely, so that the tips of the. bristles barely brush the top of the nap of the carpet, or the surface of a bare floor, a resilient mechanism is provided for holding it in such position yet permitting its depression. This resilient means may consist of a spring 32, one on each end of the nozzle. This spring is anchored to the under side of the casting I by means of screws 33. On its under side it is formed to furnish an easy gliding action and its point of contact with the floor is so disposed that its relationship with the center of downward pressure, the center of the trunnion joints, that it permits of a nice balance between the forward Stroker-bar 3 and the rearward brush 6 for both forward and backward motion. In order that the spring 32 may hold the brush 6 rmly at its normal position, it is necessary that it furnish a greater downward thrust, against the floor, than the mere support of the` nozzle. 'Ihis excess thrust must be resisted by any suitable stop such as the screw 35 joined to the casting I and passing through a slot between two ears 31 lanced from the spring itself. For all normal use of `firmly at its normal line.

the nozzle the spring pressing heavily downward against the hi-ad of the screw 35 holds the brush Only when a considerable pressure is supplied to the wand does the spring yield for deep-brushing purposes. The bristles in the brush furnish the closure to the rearward edge of the nozzle for resisting the otherwise free inward -ilow of air thereat. In practice, these brushes wear shorter after considerable use, that use depending upon the amount of deep cleaning or scrubbing action they have given. When the brush wears shorter than normal length, adjustment can be instantly made by turning down the screws 35 which, while not altering the relationship of the brush to the'casting-holder, alters its relationship with the oor.

Since the ends of theV die-casting I must be free from the door, a rearward and resilient closure must be provided. This is accomplished by means of the rubber cover 2. This cover is joined to the forward edge of the die-casting by means of a lock groove. It is joined to the back of the casting by means of screws 38. These screws are set at a considerable distance inward from the end of the nozzle. The rubber is so dimensioned that when it is placed over.the nozzle it draws with tension between the two forward corners 40, but the rubber is tapered outward toward the rear corners 4I, or the diecasting may be tapered inward, so that the rubber is free to move up and down at the corner 4I. In order that this action be positively obtained, I have joined the rubber to the spring 32 by means of projecting rubber lugs 45, see Fig. 7, and a slot 46 which engages said spring. These lugs pass through a slot in the die-casting 48, Fig. 6. Any suitable means of so joining the -rubber to the spring may be used.

Another highly desirable yieldable means, see Figs. 8 and 9, of obtaining the function of the spring 32, consists of collapsible wheels. For further description of same see my Patent No.

2,073,347. Two moulded rubber cups 5|! and 5I with their rims in contact of substantially the form shown, and with their rims locked together i produces something akin to a balloon tire. These ,collapsible wheels or rubber cups are pushed firmly onto a bronze tube 53. A bolt 54 passed `reelythrough the bronze tube and is held at its ends in any suitable manner such as by the lugs 55 on the die-casting I. Whenvproperly disposed vwith respect to the floor and the casting this balllike wheel will serve the purpose of spring 32. A stamped cover may be placed over the wheel for suction-closure purposes, it may be caught under the rubber cover at its rims in such manner that it maybe freely, and manually, removable. Obviously, by means of a suitable bracket this ball-like wheel instead of being set into the nozzle, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, may be joined "to the rearward edge of the die-casting, one on either side of the nozzle piece I8. With the arrangement shown in Figs. 8 and 9, means of holding the rubber corner 4I at its proper position may consist of flat spring 6I joined to the diecasting I as by rivets. The other end of the spring engages lug 65 in the rubber cover 2 and may thus accomplish the purpose of the lugs 45 shown in Fig. '7.

The forward edge or Stroker-bar is provided with teeth 3, the form of which is illustrated in.

Figs. 10, l1, and 12. Fig. 10 shows the inner face of the teeth in elevation, in Fig. 11, an underside plan, and ,in Fig. 12, the section as in Fig. 1. The highly important novelty `about these teeth consists of a sharp. vertical, plow-like form as it advances with less resistance, gives less chance of snagging, and pushes in the opposite direction in the freest possible manner. It should be noted that these teeth are desirable only on the forward edge of, the nozzle and in use must serve their purpose only with a raking action. Such teeth on the rearward edge of the nozzle furnish almost impractical resistance to forward motion.

Having set forth my invention so that those familiar with these arts may understand it, I wishrto make it known that the spirit of my invention encompasses those many other forms whereby common practice and the art of mechanical design may alter it.

What I claim is:

1. In a vacuum-cleaner nozzle comprising a main body portion with a nozzle opening on its under side adapted for contact at its edges with the carpet to be cleaned, a hinged attachment member, a carpet cleaning brush with its fibers extending downward supported by said main portion with the tips of its fibers normally substantially free from the c'arpet, and resilient means for holding said brush in said relationship adapted to permit depression of fibers of said brush into the carpet for cleaning purposes when downward pressure on the said attachment member is exerted by the operator, said means comprising a broad, at spring, shoe-like member adapted to slide on the carpet and to yield under the strain of the said downward pressure. 4

2. In a vacuum-cleaner nozzle comprising a main body portion with a nozzle opening on its under side adapted for contact at its edges with the carpet to be-cleaned, a hinged attachment member, a carpet-cleaning brush with its fibers extending downward supported by said main portion with the tips of its bers normally lightly in contact with the carpet, and resilient means for holding said brush in said relationship adapted to permit depression of fibers of said brush into the carpet for cleaning purposes when downward pressure on the said attachment member is exerted by the operator, said means comprising a broad, flat spring shoe-like member adapted to slide on the carpet and to yield under the strain of the said downward pressure.

3. In a vacuum-cleaner nozzle comprising a main body portion with a nozzle opening on its under side. adapted for contact at its edges with the carpet to be cleaned, a hinged attachment member, a carpet cleaning brush with its fibres extending downward supported by said main portion with the tips of its fibres normally Isubstantially free from the carpet, and a broad fiat spring having a shoe-like face normally contacting the carpet for holding said brush in said relationship disposed entirely within the connes of the said nozzle opening, adapted to permit depression of bres of said brush into the carpet for cleaning purposes when downward pressu're on the said attachment member is exerted by the operator, said means yielding in the vertical direction a distance substantially proportionate to the downward pressure exerted by the operator. g A

WARD LEATHERS. 

